DOC’s new boss

Gov. John Hickenlooper has named a new executive director of the Department of Corrections to succeed the slain Tom Clements.

Rick Raemisch, the former head of Wisconsin’s Department of Corrections, will take the reins of Colorado’s DOC. He has experience as a deputy sheriff, prosecutor and, starting in 2003, the top administrator in the Wisconsin prison system. Most recently, he has been dean of the School of Human and Protective Services at Madison College, overseeing programs in emergency medical services, criminal justice, fire, human services and early child care education.

Gov. Hickenlooper said it is this expansive background that led him to hire Mr. Raemisch, noting that the new DOC boss understands the criminal mind. The governor hopes that Mr. Raemisch can tailor programs to reduce the number of inmates who commit more crimes after their release by giving them the tools to become productive, law-abiding citizens.

Mr. Raemisch said that the released inmates return to society either angry, likely to re-offend, or they will go back prepared to re-enter the community to become good citizens. We wish him well in that quest.